Authors Notes- Okay, I apologise for killing off Gure-Gure. But, this will have a happy end, at least for Rin and Haru fans. The song used is 'The Real Folk Blues' from Cowboy Bebop.

Too much time has passed by to
lament that we were deeply in love
The wind keeps blowing, while my heart
cannot heal all the tears in it

Despite the loss of Shigure and her father, Isuzu was appearing to do well. But as we all know, appearances are often decieveing.

On the inside, Isuzu was falling apart. The grief from losing two people close to her was slowly killing her. Each day, it felt like a small piece of her was breaking away.

It took years for her to fall apart.

When Michiyo was four, she found her mother crying on the floor of her room. Being only four, she didn't know why her mother was so upset. Michiyo toddled over to Hatsuharu's.

"Ha-wu-niichan!"

Hatsuharu opened the screen door, to see Michiyo.

"Well, if it isn't Michi-chan. Need something?"

"You, Ha-wu-niichan! Mama's cwying."

Watching tomorrow with one eye
while keeping the other on yesterday
If only I could peacefully sleep
in the cradle of your love, again

Someone, cry for me with parched eyes...

Isuzu lay there, clutching a picture of her and Shigure. Tears were streaming down her face. She softly began murmuring to herself.

"How long must I live until I'm healed? I only want to know true happiness...But all that glitters isn't gold..."

"Rin!"

Hatsuharu ran up to her, gently placing Michiyo on the ground. He held Isuzu, as Michiyo watched.

"See? She's cwying, but Michiyo-chan no know why."

Isuzu wasn't responding to them. Hatsuharu just sat there, and held her.

"Michi-chan, come here. Talk to your mama."

Michiyo clambored up onto Isuzu and Hatsuharu, and sat on them.

"Mama? Pwease no cry? Michiyo-chan no wike it. Mama's sposed to be happy, wike Michiyo-chan. Michiyo-chan finks that Papa no want Mama to be sad too. Wight, Ha-wu-niichan?"

"Thats right, Michi-chan. No one likes seeing your mama sad. It makes the rest of us sad too. Rin, I know that its hard, but at least for Michiyo's sake, you have to keep living. What would happen to her without you? Please Rin, I'll be here to help. So will Kagura-san, Hiro, your mother, I promise...You are not alone!"

Isuzu's hands flutter. She delicately returns Hatsuharu's embrace.

"Th...thank you, Haru. I needed...to hear those words..."

The real folk blues
I only want to know what true sadness is
Sitting in muddy water
isn't such a bad life
if it ends after the first time

Hatsuharu was always able to keep his promises.

With a little help from Michiyo, he and Isuzu became as close as they once were, before Akito got in the way.

But, when one has been hurt before, its hard to trust again. Both were afraid of a repeat of the past.

The thing about life is that people can learn from their mistakes. It just takes time and a little patience. Both wait for no one.

"Haru-niichan? You really like my Mama, don't you?"

Hatsuharu and Kagurawere watching Michiyo for the afternoon, while Isuzu shopped for her school uniform. She was due to start kindergarten soon.

Her question caused him to choke.

"Mi-Michiyo-chan!"

Kagura just laughed. She picked up her niece, and sang to her.

"Haru-kun and Mama, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

The two laughed at Hatsuharu, as he tried to regain his composure.

"Whats so funny?"

"Mama!"

Isuzu put her bags down, as Michiyo tried to get out of Kagura's arms. Isuzu took Michiyo from Kagura.

"Well, wanna tell Mama whats so funny, Michi-chan?"

"Haru-niichan really likes you Mama!"

Hatsuharu quickly averted his eyes.

Isuzu laughed.

"You wanna know a secret, Michi-chan? Mama likes him too."